Man Allegedly Stabs Bus Rider, Then Himself

A man riding a bus in Hollywood stood up suddenly and stabbed a stranger twice in the chest Tuesday before plunging the knife into his own chest and cutting his throat, Los Angeles police said.

The alleged attacker, Elias Morales, 27, was taken to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and the victim, Melecio Perez, 28, underwent surgery at Hollywood Presbyterian Medical Center.

Morales was riding a Rapid Transit District Bus about 5 p.m. when, for no apparent reason, he rose and stabbed Perez twice, Sgt. Pat Findley said.

“No one heard him say anything,” Findley said.

Morales then stabbed himself twice in the chest. Passengers began screaming and the bus driver stopped, Findley said.

The driver opened the door at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue and Morales got out and cut his own throat, Findley said, adding that the knife-wielding man appeared to have mental problems.

At the hospital, Morales told Findley that he had attacked Perez because Perez had killed his wife. But Findley said that Perez and Morales did not know one another and that Morales was apparently suffering from delusions.

There was no immediate word on the condition of either man.